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Unreserved Wine Talk

253 EpisodesProduced by Natalie MacLeanWebsite

The Unreserved Wine Talk podcast features candid conversations with the most fascinating people in the wine world. Your host, award-winning journalist Natalie MacLean, dives into how it feels to compete in the nerve-wracking World's Best Sommelier Competition, the shadowy underground of wine forgery… read more

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251: Pinot Noir, the Nervous Breakdown Grape + Navigating Bad Life Vintages with the Boozy Biddies

September 20th, 2023

34:47

How do bad vintages in life help us to thrive? Why is Pinot Noir the grape that teeters on the edge of a nervous breakdown? How can moderation help to preserve our passion for wine?

In this episode of the Unreserved …

250: The Secrets of Barbaresco, Barolo and Mourvedre with Andy James, Author of Bandol Wine and the Magic of Mourvedre

September 13th, 2023

38:25

Why is Bandol the only appellation to lead with Mourvèdre? What would surprise you about the northern Italian grape and wine Barbaresco? What would …

249: Bandol Wine and the Magic of Mourvèdre with Author Dr. Andy James

September 6th, 2023

37:11

How does Mourvèdre taste different from other southern French grapes that also produce full-bodied red wines? Did you know that Mourvèdre can age for …

248: Austrian Grüner Veltliner's Versatility & the Magic of Minerality with Terry Theise

August 30th, 2023

43:49

Is minerality a taste, a texture, or something else when it comes to wine? Why is Austrian Gruner Veltliner more versatile than Riesling? How do you find a great grower Champagne?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine …

247: Soul-Searching German Riesling with Terry Theise, Author of What Makes a Wine Worth Drinking

August 23rd, 2023

40:44

Are you curious about the soul-searching nature of German Riesling? Why is Riesling the best wine for tasters to train themselves to improve their …

246: What is a Wine Witch and Why Use it in a Book Title? I Share Why on The Wonderful World of Wine Podcast

August 16th, 2023

47:14

Which Canadian wine regions should you add to your must-try and must-visit lists? What makes some of the wine designations and certifications …

245: New South African Wines and Pinotage Misconceptions with Dr. Winnie Bowman

August 9th, 2023

42:11

Are you curious about new South African wine styles and regions to try? What do most people misunderstand about Pinotage wine? Is it really necessary to spit when doing a wine tasting?

In this episode of the Unreserved …

244: Should You Buy Wines Based on Competition Medals? Dr. Winnie Bowman, Cape Wine Master, Has Thoughts

August 2nd, 2023

43:49

What is a Cape Wine Master? Should you buy wines based on medals won from competitions? What does the future of wine recommendations look like?

In …

243: Can Artificial Intelligence (AI) Give Good Wine & Food Pairing Tips? Dina Blikshteyn Shares Surprising Insights

July 26th, 2023

33:06

How can you use AI to get wine and food pairing advice? Will using AI make wine styles and flavours less diverse? Will AI replace wine writers?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Dina …

242: How Artificial Intelligence (AI) Will Change the Wines Your Drink with Dina Blikshteyn

July 19th, 2023

32:49

Are you curious how artificial intelligence will change the wines you drink? What’s the difference between AI-based technology and existing automated …

241: Why I Don't Review Bad Wines with Luke Whittall of the Sipster's Wine Podcast

July 12th, 2023

38:00

Why do I not review bad wines? What’s the difference between sexist, sexy and sensual writing, whether it’s in wine tasting notes or beyond? What are the big differences between wine reviews and articles, and what value …

240: Online Mobbing, Dark Humour and Change in the Wine Industry with Luke Whittall of the Sipster's Wine Podcast

July 5th, 2023

25:29

How do you deal with the mob mentality of social media when it's a part of your work? How can you find the humour in the dark moments of life? What has changed in the past ten years in the wine industry when it comes to …

239: Wild Yeast and Wine Temperature's Impact on Wine Taste with Carolyn Hurst of Westcott Vineyards

June 28th, 2023

40:02

How do wild yeasts help to bring out unique qualities in wine? What’s involved in farming and making wine sustainably? How does changing the …

238: Old Vines, Land Stewardship and the Future of Ontario Wine with Carolyn Hurst, Westcott Vineyards

June 21st, 2023

41:01

Why is it a good idea for winemakers to invest in old vines? What does it mean to be a good steward of the land? What unique challenges does the …

237: New Vision for Beautiful Vineyards and Regenerative Viticulture with Mark Gudgel

June 14th, 2023

39:46

What does regenerative viticulture mean? How do healthy vineyards today look dramatically different from those five years ago? How did the Wine …

236: The Paris Tasting that Changed the Fate of California Wines with Mark Gudgel, Author of The Rise of Napa Valley Wineries

June 7th, 2023

40:58

Are you curious about the most important historic tasting that put California wines on the map? What unique challenges did pioneer winemakers face in …

235: Technology Will Transform Tasting Rooms of the Future with Jessica Kogan

May 31st, 2023

45:52

How can wineries use technology to better connect with customers online? What can you expect from the tasting rooms of the future? What matters most …

234: Wine and Fashion Share Aspirational Marketing and Self-Identification with Jessica Kogan of Vintage Wine Estates

May 24th, 2023

42:52

How will new technology affect the way you buy and learn about wine in the future? What does it take to launch a winery into the digital space? Which …

233: Best Wine & Food Pairing Tips + California Wines with Chuck Cramer

May 17th, 2023

37:04

Which California wine should be at the top of your must-try list? Which simple tips can you use to identify successful food and wine pairings? What …

232: Wine Marketing that Encourages Overdrinking + Sexism in Wine Tasting Tasting Notes

May 10th, 2023

42:45

How does slick wine marketing encourage us to drink too much? Has anything really changed in the wine industry in the last ten years since the incidents in the book took place? How is sexism still embedded in wine …

231: Dark Side of the Wine World + Tips for Moderate Drinking

May 3rd, 2023

46:25

How did I first fall in love with wine? Do I feel more exposed now for having written this third book? What are my best tips for moderate drinking?

I’ll be sharing those stories and more in this special episode of my …

230: Behind-the-Scenes of the Wine Industry + Slick Wine Marketing with Chuck Cramer

April 26th, 2023

31:08

What's it like to work as a sommelier in a five-diamond French restaurant? How do you make the jump from writing magazine columns to becoming a …

229: Toasting Etiquette + How Instagram & TikTok Have Changed Wine Education with Dr. Clinton Lee author of Master the Art of Manners

April 19th, 2023

43:26

Did you know that there’s a polite way and a rude way to clink wine glasses when toasting in some cultures? Are you curious about great pairings for …

228: Wine Etiquette in Different Cultures and at Festivals with Dr. Clinton Lee

April 12th, 2023

37:49

How can wine help you to broaden your understanding of different cultures? Which stark differences in culture and decorum will you see in various …

227: Diversity in the Wine Industry + Vermentino Food Pairings with Sommelier Tonya Pitts

April 5th, 2023

37:05

Why is Vermentino such a great wine to pair with food, and which dishes pair best with it? What are the markers and nuances in wine that are tied to a specific place? How is the wine industry changing when it comes to …

226: Navigating Big Restaurant Wine Lists + Sommelier's Key Role with Tonya Pitts

March 29th, 2023

43:47

Are you curious about what it takes to manage a list of 500 different wine labels at one of America’s best restaurants? Why is wine so powerful in …

225: Pinot Noir's Heartbreaking Beauty and Moderation Tips with Wines to Find

March 22nd, 2023

55:25

Which aspects of the Beamsville Bench make it particularly suited for growing grapes for wine? Why is Pinot Noir called the heartbreak grape? What …

224: Synthetic Wine, Alcohol-Free Wine and Sabering Champagne with Dragonvine's Steven Laine

March 15th, 2023

34:22

Can you imagine a world where there’s only synthetic wine? And what is synthetic wine anyway? How does removing alcohol impact the tasting experience?

223: Thriller Novel Asks: "Can You Imagine a World Without Wine?" with Steven Laine, author of Root Cause

March 8th, 2023

29:28

Can you imagine a world without wine? How did an author create a new genre of wine thriller based on a winemaker’s worst nightmare? What if the root louse phylloxera that destroyed most of the European vineyards in the …

222: Wine and Religion + Santa Ynez Valley with Adam McHugh

March 1st, 2023

36:24

What did John the Baptist, Dom Perignon and Saint Vincent have in common when it comes to wine? What makes the vineyard of Clos de Vougeot in …

221: Châteauneuf-du-Pape Makes Wine from Stone with Blood From A Stone's Adam McHugh

February 22nd, 2023

39:05

How did one man make a complete career pivot from working with dying in hospice care to living among the vines and writing about them? Why is French oak so treasured and so expensive? Which historical events led to the …

220: Food & Wine Pairing Without Intimidation with the Interpreting Wine Podcast's Lawrence Francis

February 15th, 2023

41:29

How can you learn more about food and wine without the intimidation factor? Why does exploring outside of your arena often drive inspiration and innovation? Why is writing a memoir like living your life twice?

In this …

219: Powerful Wine Storytelling and Hooks with Lawrence Francis of the Interpreting Wine Podcast

February 8th, 2023

41:19

What’s behind the power of podcasts and how they evoke the theater of the mind? How can you use a hook to improve your communication skills? Why do stories help us remember what we learn about wine?

In this episode of …

218: Music Changes Wine's Taste + Restaurant Table Shape & How Much We Eat with Nell McShane Wulfhart

February 1st, 2023

47:55

How does the shape of a restaurant table impact how much you eat? How can you use your music playlist to complement your menu? Which types of songs can make your wine taste more acidic?

In this episode of the Unreserved …

217: Flavour versus Taste Plus Uruguay Wines with Nell McShane Wulfhart

January 25th, 2023

43:04

How does telling your dinner party guests a few details about the wine you're serving dramatically change their perception of its taste? Should you …

216: Tradeoff Between Taste & Alcohol, Chardonnay, California Wine Values with Chuck Cramer

January 18th, 2023

30:41

What’s the tradeoff between flavour and alcohol? How does Chardonnay lend itself to unusual food pairings? Where do you find great value in …

215: California's Diverse Regions and Wines with Chuck Cramer, Host of On the Road with Mr CA Wine

January 11th, 2023

28:06

Are you curious about California wine, especially the differences between the various regions? What big trends have changed the California wines you …

214: Tips to Moderate Your Wine Consumption with Consumed Podcast Host, Jaime Lewis

January 4th, 2023

39:57

How does deepening your understanding of wine help you maintain a healthy relationship with it? Why do memoirs help us to connect with characters …

213: Tasting Room Tips to Learn about Wine with Jaime Lewis, Host of the Consumed Podcast

December 28th, 2022

37:29

How can tasting rooms help you enjoyably expand your knowledge of wine? Which experiences led me to perfect the art of the outsider at a young age? Why does capturing our experiences in words have such a profound impact …

212: Time Travel via Wine with Dani Shapiro, Bestselling Author of Signal Fires

December 21st, 2022

39:40

How do food and wine play a role in Dabi Shapiro's latest bestselling novel, Signal Fires? As a writer, what’s it like to encounter others …

211: Food, Wine and Family Secrets with Dani Shapiro, Bestselling Author of Signal Fires

December 14th, 2022

48:09

How can wine and food back memories of more than just the food and drink themselves? Why are so many family secrets associated with food and drink? How has the publishing world changed, and what does it mean for …

210: Why Pay More for Wine, British Bubbly and Glassware with The Wine Bible's Karen MacNeil

December 7th, 2022

45:59

Which new and emerging wine regions should be on your radar to try soon? Why should you pay more for wine? How does glassware change the taste of …

209: Creating The Wine Bible: Behind-the-Scenes with Author Karen MacNeil

November 30th, 2022

45:13

What did it take to create The Wine Bible, a 700-page masterwork on wine? What makes The Wine Bible so different from other popular wine tomes? How …

208: Digital Corks, Tasting Tokens and the Future of Wine Drinking with David Garrett

November 23rd, 2022

38:29

How do digital corks allow winemakers to participate in the resale of their wines among collectors? What are tasting tokens, and what exciting new …

207: How Blockchain and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) Will Change How You Buy Wine with David Garrett

November 16th, 2022

38:08

Are you curious about how blockchain technology will transform how you buy and collect wine? How do non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, play a role? How …

206: Minerality in Wine, Great Hybrid Grapes & What Jimi Hendrix Can Teach Winemakers with Aleks Zecevic

November 9th, 2022

39:23

Is minerality a flavour or a texture? What does it feel or taste like? Why do wines made from hybrid grapes deserve your attention? What can winemakers learn from Jimi Hendrix?

 

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine …

205: Wine Spectator and Sotheby's Auction House Dream Jobs with Aleks Zecevic

November 2nd, 2022

47:35

What's it like to work at the prestigious Wine Spectator magazine and Sotheby’s fine wine auction house? How can you distinguish real wine from fakes? What’s the secret to putting together the perfect wine flight?

 

In …

204: Canadian Wines, Grapes & Styles with Drink Adventures' James Atkinson

October 26th, 2022

26:04

Is Icewine the major part of Canada’s wine industry? How does Icewine compare to other dessert wines like Sauternes? How has climate change impacted Canadian winemaking?

 

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk …

203: Wine & Global Weirding, Canadian Wine and New Regions with Brian Freedman

October 19th, 2022

42:59

As a wine lover, what can you do to help mitigate the impact of climate change? Why do many experts consider the phrase “global warming” a big marketing mistake? How is climate change pushing the boundaries of where …

202: "Crushed: How a Changing Climate Is Altering the Way We Drink" with Brian Freedman

October 12th, 2022

42:29

Are you curious about the deeper, less obvious impacts of climate change on wine? How is it different from the impact on our food? What are Israeli …

201: Riesling, the Four-Octave Diva + Austrian Wine Revival with Valerie Kathawala

October 5th, 2022

39:41

Why should we change the way we talk about Riesling? How have Austrian and German wines transformed in recent years? How can you pair German-speaking …

200: German-Speaking Wines and Biodynamic Winemaking with Valerie Kathawala

September 28th, 2022

44:12

Are you curious about German-speaking wines and which ones you should try? Why is biodynamic winemaking particularly important for viticulture? …

199: Wine Temperatures and Tasting Tricks with Wines to Find Sandy Dawkins and Michelle Lester

September 21st, 2022

37:17

Are you drinking your wine at the wrong temperature? Which wine gadgets will help you explore new wines without overindulging? Why should you breathe …

198: Horizontal and Vertical Tastings with Wines to Find Sandy Dawkins and Michelle Lester

September 14th, 2022

31:51

What’s the single best thing you can do to improve your tasting skills? How can you discover some unusual but delicious food and wine pairings? How does music change the taste of wine?

 

In this episode of the …

197: Detecting Wine Aromas with Candy + Go South for Value with Lori Budd

September 7th, 2022

41:20

Which candy-based trick can you use to teach yourself new flavors and aromas? What makes discovering a bargain wine more exciting than luxury wine? What does the tip “go south” mean when it comes to hidden values in …

196: Romantic Poets & Wine and Why Champagne on Ordinary Days with Lori Budd

August 31st, 2022

39:26

How does John Keats connect the romantic poets to wine? Why should you consider Champagne for other occasions outside of big celebrations? How do you …

195: Differences Between Aroma and Bouquet and California Pinot Noir with Kerith Overstreet

August 24th, 2022

45:13

What’s the difference between aroma and bouquet in wine? How does "bright acidity" taste? Why does Pinot Noir from different regions in California taste dramatically different?

 

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine …

194: Zinfandel Pairings, Magical AVAs and Yeast Secrets with Winemaker Kerith Overstreet

August 17th, 2022

43:45

Would you like to discover some weird but wonderful food pairings for zinfandel? How can American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) help you find new wines …

193: Iconic Wisconsin Cheeses, Wine & Beta Readers with Author Joy Ribar

August 10th, 2022

47:31

Why is Wisconsin the most famous state in the US for its cheeses and what do they produce? Which iconic, delicious Wisconsin cheeses should you …

192: Cozy Mysteries in Wine Country + Wisconsin Wines with Author Joy Ribar

August 3rd, 2022

41:48

Would you like to hear about some fabulous mystery books that are set in wine country? What is it about books that encourage deep connections with …

191: Why Open That Special Bottle Tonight + Smell's Role in a Full Life with Jim Duane

July 27th, 2022

33:47

Why should you open that bottle of wine you’ve been saving? What makes Icewine such a difficult and expensive wine to produce? Why is the sense of …

190: Wine Stories, Food Pairings, and Canadian Wines with Inside Winemaking's Jim Duane

July 20th, 2022

29:58

What is it really like to be a wine industry insider? How can stories help you to learn? What makes Riesling one of the most food-friendly wines?

 

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being …

189: Cracking the DaVino Code with Wine Economist, Mike Veseth

July 13th, 2022

36:21

Did you know there’s a triple crisis in the battle for the soul of wine right now? Why do you need to master the DaVino Code? What makes some of the …

188: The 3 Biggest Forces Changing Your Wine Now with Mike Veseth, author of Wine Wars II: The Global Battle for the Soul of Wine

July 6th, 2022

43:11

Which three forces have shaped the evolution of the modern wine market more than any others? What is a wine economist? How have the wine industry and …

187: Oregon's Undiscovered White Wines & How Soil Changes Wine Taste with Eugenia Keegan

June 29th, 2022

44:56

How has Oregon white wine evolved since it was first produced? Which elements make up the “classic Oregon” style of wine? How do different types of …

186: Oregon Wines, History and Future with Eugenia Keegan of Jackson Family Wines

June 22nd, 2022

35:37

Are you curious about what makes Oregon unique from other wine regions? How could climate change impact winemaking? What can we learn from the …

The Shape and Sound of Taste with Nell McShane Wulfhart

June 16th, 2022

53:17

How does telling your dinner party guests a few details about the wine you're serving dramatically change their perception of its taste? How does the shape of a restaurant table impact how much you eat, and which types …

185: Inventive Food & Wine Pairing and Buying Tips with Guy Bower of The Good Life Show

June 15th, 2022

32:23

What exactly makes the sense of smell so evocative? How can you play with food and wine pairing to discover new flavours? What can you do to de-risk your exploration of new wines?

 

In this episode of the Unreserved …

184: Prosecco's Success Story (and Snob Disdain) with Stevie Kim of Vinitaly

June 8th, 2022

33:18

How did Prosecco lead the way for many people discovering Italian wines, and then why did it get so much hate? How can "Mamma Jumbo Shrimp" help you as a wine lover? Is food or wine the main protagonist of most meals?

 

183: Italian Wines and Wine Competitions with Vinitaly's Stevie Kim

June 1st, 2022

35:43

How can you learn more about the diverse regions and styles of Italian wine? What's the difference in impact between wine competitions and critic scores? And how do they influence the wines you buy and drink?

 

In this …

182: Cabernet Franc, California's Paso Robles & High Acidity Wines with Lori Budd

May 25th, 2022

43:45

Are you curious about why Cabernet Franc should have just as much respect from you as a wine lover, if not more than Cabernet Sauvignon? What makes …

181: Bordeaux Wines, Politics and Wine, Monastrell & Spanish Food Pairings with Lori Budd of Exploring the Glass

May 18th, 2022

39:37

What is it like to participate in the coveted en premiere tasting of the new vintage of Bordeaux wines in France while they’re still in the barrels …

180: Extreme Winemaking, Ontario Wine Gems, Canada's Regions & Grapes

May 11th, 2022

44:58

Why is icewine considered extreme winemaking, and what are some weird, but wonderful food pairings for this elixir? Which Canadian wine regions …

179: Finding Bargain Wines and Regions with Janina Doyle of Eat Sleep Wine Repeat

May 4th, 2022

52:32

Why does Italy make such a fantastic wine destination to visit? Which underpriced wines for their quality should you try next? How can you …

178: Pandemic's Positive Impact on Wine + Buying Wine Online with Cathy Huyghe and Andrea Smalling

April 27th, 2022

42:56

How has the pandemic positively impacted the wine industry? Why is the percentage of women buying online rising faster than men? How do consumers benefit when wine producers have access to more and better data?

 

In …

177: Ground-Breaking Report for Making, Buying & Selling Wine with Cathy Huyghe & Andrea Smalling

April 20th, 2022

39:08

How have major events like the pandemic and the wildfires affected the way we buy wine online? Do younger generations, such as Gen Y, Gen Z and Millenials, have different criteria for buying wine? What impact does …

176: Australian Wine Pairings, Tips and Trends with James Atkinson of Drinks Adventures

April 13th, 2022

32:47
Are you curious about the Australian wine scene and the latest trends and changes? How about tips on buying terrific Australian wines? What are some …

175: Wine Sommeliers v Beer Cicerones and Tasting Techniques with Drinks Adventures' James Atkinson

April 6th, 2022

29:22

What's the difference between a wine sommelier and a beer sommelier or cicerone? Which glass is best for properly appreciating great beer? What can you expect from Arizona as an up-and-coming wine region?

 

In this …

174: Retronasal Smell in Tasting Wine and Virtual Brands with Jim Duane of Inside Winemaking Podcast

March 30th, 2022

44:18

How can tuning into the retronasal aspect of smell take your wine tasting skill to the next level? What makes the sense of smell so fascinating? What does it mean to be a virtual wine brand? What do grapes & …

173: What Being a Winemaker is Really Like with Inside Winemaking's Jim Duane

March 23rd, 2022

36:52

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a winemaker and wondered what it takes? What’s it like to work a wine harvest without power? What makes Riesling …

172: Wine Supertasters, Food Pairings and Canadian Palates with XChateau's Robert Vernick & Peter Yeung

March 16th, 2022

49:01

What does it mean to be a supertaster? How did wine consumption habits change during the pandemic? Do Canadians have different wine preferences compared to drinkers in other regions? Why is food and wine pairing such a …

171: Chilean Wine in the Driest Place on Earth & England's Storied Wine History with Janina Doyle

March 9th, 2022

43:22

Are you curious about British wines and their history that dates back to King Henry VIII? How is wine made in the driest place on Earth and where is that exactly? Are stemless wine glasses better than traditional …

170: English Sparkling Wine, Magical Blends & Harvest Secrets with Janina Doyle

March 2nd, 2022

41:49

What’s it really like to work at a winery during the harvest? What is the magic behind blended wines versus single grape or varietal wines? How does English sparkling wine compare to Champagne?

 

In this episode of the …

169: Santa Maria BBQ & Wines + Can You Earn a Living as a Wine Writer?

February 23rd, 2022

33:31

Why is Santa Maria BBQ different from other types and which wines pair well with it? What does it take to earn a living as a full-time wine writer? …

168: Wine's Buzz, Italy's Food Culture and Audrey Hepburn's Influence with Jaime Lewis

February 16th, 2022

34:39

Why does a lot of writing about wine ignore the alcoholic buzz? How did Audrey Hepburn kick start our guest’s relationship with wine? What effect can …

167: Marketing Wine to Women + The Power of Storytelling

February 9th, 2022

34:50

How did my love of stories as a child bring me to the world of publishing and podcasting? What is the problem with the way some wines are marketed toward women? Why am I so insanely passionate about the message I share …

166: How Humor & High Tech Help Wine with Served Up Podcast's Julie Milroy & Bridget Albert

February 2nd, 2022

35:09

What makes high tech a great complement to wine? How does humour help when you're learning about wine? Why is the personal aspect of wine becoming so important?

 

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm …

165: Volcanic Soils, Old Vines and Italian Wine Diversity with Wine Spectator Columnist Robert Camuto

January 26th, 2022

36:44

What does drinking Italian mean today? How has globalization impacted the Italian wine you drink? Do volcanic soils really make a wine taste …

164: Southern Italy's Wine, Food & Flavour in Robert Camuto's South of Somewhere Book

January 19th, 2022

37:47

Are you curious about the hidden wine gems in southern Italy? Who are the colourful characters and winemakers who create them? What are the sumptuous …

163: Travel Tips for Austria & Washington Wine Regions with Interpreting Wine's Lawrence Francis

January 12th, 2022

42:46

What's the smartest strategy you’ve never heard when it comes to visiting any wine region? More specifically, what’s the best way to explore the wineries of Washington state or Burgenland in Austria? Why is there such a …

162: Sherry, Rioja, Cava and Other Spanish Wine Gems with Interpreting Wine's Lawrence Francis

January 5th, 2022

40:06

Why is Sherry one of the most complex wines on the planet and also one of the most misunderstood? What’s it like to visit the underground caves in Spain where the sparkling wine Cava is aged? How can you choose between …

161: Tech is Transforming Wine with the Wine School Dropout's Tanisha Townsend

December 29th, 2021

47:19

What makes wine and technology such a perfect pairing? Why should you try online wine classes? How is technology empowering wine consumers?

 

In this …

160: Longshot Wines Bet Big on Market Launch with Winemaker Beth Liston

December 22nd, 2021

45:14

Are you curious about how a wine brand breaks through in a new market? Why is the wine category one of the most difficult to offer a great …

159: Cosmo's Sex & the City, Champagne, Whisky Women in Mallory O’Meara's Girly Drinks

December 15th, 2021

40:22

How did the Cosmopolitan become an iconic cocktail on the TV show Sex and the City? Did you know an illegal shipment of Champagne revolutionized the …

158: Girly Drinks with Mallory O’Meara on the History of Women and Alcohol

December 8th, 2021

33:34

Did you know that the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra has her own, private wine club and that it was used against her to bring down her empire? Are you curious about the first people to make beer? They were women called …

157: Dom Perignon, Chateau Montelena and Wine for Your Zodiac Sign

December 1st, 2021

41:45

What's it like to experience a piece of Dom Pérignon history? Has the legendary California Chardonnay Chateau Montelena 1973 Chardonnay held up in the years since the Judgement of Paris? How can you pair wine with your …

156: Italian Wines from Alto Adige, Portugal + Champagne with Grape Minds Julie Glenn & Gina Birch

November 24th, 2021

40:23

Are you curious about slow food and wine? What's special about the Alto Adige region of Italy? Why should you consider Portugal and Dubai for your …

155: Should You Celebrate (and Drink) Beaujolais Nouveau Wines This Year?

November 17th, 2021

15:41

What’s all the fuss about Beaujolais Nouveau on the third Thursday of every November? Should you stay up until midnight to taste the new release? How …

154: Pairing Books & Bottles, Organizing Wine Tastings

November 10th, 2021

31:52

What do great books and great wine have in common? Why does it feel like the wine changes when you taste the same vintage years later, apart from it maturing (and possibly you as well)? How can you pair books and …

153: Restaurant Wine Lists, Poutine, Niagara & Pairing Tips

November 3rd, 2021

35:42

What are my top tips for choosing a bottle from a long restaurant wine list? What are the best wines to pair with extremely rich dishes like …

152: Field Blends, Pet-Nats and Memoir with Rachel Signer

October 27th, 2021

40:38

What is it like to make wine totally by hand, without electricity? What is a field blend and why should you try one? What’s the most difficult part …

151: You Had Me At Pét-Nat: Gripping Wine Memoir by Rachel Signer

October 20th, 2021

47:57

How are natural wines different from raw or clean wines? Why do natural wines provoke furious debates in the wine world? Why will you want to read our guest’s new memoir that’s hot off the press (pun intended)?

In this …

150: Bottle of the Sexist: Marketing Wine to Women with Felicity Carter

October 13th, 2021

59:37

What do fortune-telling and wine writing have in common? How does wine culture change when women are part of its founding? Should you believe the …

149: Promiscuous Wine Buying, Orange, Natural and Raw Wines

October 6th, 2021

35:03

Why are orange wines appealing to beer drinkers? Why does it pay to be promiscuous when shopping for wine? Why is there so much confusion around natural and raw wine?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, …

148: Behind the Scenes of Wine Writing + Wine Trends with Elizabeth Schneider

September 29th, 2021

34:26

What are the latest trends in wine, from blue wines to raw wines? And should you be drinking them? Why are high-tech and wine a perfect pairing? …

147: Pet-Nats, Piquettes, Croatia & Comfort Wines with Kate Dingwall

September 22nd, 2021

33:31

Are you curious about trendy new wines like pet-nats and piquettes? Which lesser-known Croatian wine should you try? What are comfort wines and what …

146: Penedes, Spain, Croatia & Kosher Wines with Kate Dingwall

September 15th, 2021

34:35

What’s it like biking through the Penedes wine region of Spain? How can you find great Georgian wines without leaving North America? What makes a …

145: Embarrassing Wine Moments, Oak as Ketchup & Powerful Stories

September 8th, 2021

32:14

Why are sugar and oak often the ketchup of the wine world, used to hide bad grapes or poor winemaking? How did researching my first book lead to my most embarrassing wine moment? What’s the problem with biodynamic and …

144: Restaurant List Tips, Wine Courses & Buying Local Wines

September 1st, 2021

34:10

Why are restaurant wine lists often tricky to navigate, even for wine professionals? Is it worth pursuing wine certifications and courses? Wine is …

143: Luxury Wine Marketing, Dom Pérignon, Must-Have Gadgets with Robert Vernick & Peter Yeung

August 25th, 2021

31:45

What are the six key elements that define a luxury wine? What’ll surprise you about Dom Pérignon that makes it different from other luxury wines? Which two wine gadgets must you own as a wine lover?

In this episode of …

142: Learn About Wine via Podcasts, Books, Influencers with Robert Vernick & Peter Yeung

August 18th, 2021

28:54

How are podcasts a great way to learn about wine? Which wine books can jumpstart your education about wine and further it as you get more knowledgeable? What’s behind the backlash against wine influencers on social …

141: Fruit Wine, Pet-Nat Bubbly & Slovenian Wines with Nikki Goddard

August 11th, 2021

34:37

Why are fruit wines becoming more popular and how do they differ from grape-based wines? What is Pét-Nat-style wine and which ones should you …

140: Good Wine Faults, DRC, Misleading Wine Experts with Nikki Goddard

August 4th, 2021

34:03

When can wine faults actually improve the taste of wine? Does learning about wine decrease your enjoyment of it? Can wine experts really distinguish …

139: Wine Scores, Pairings and Writing with Master of Wine Vanessa Conlin

July 28th, 2021

32:02

Why did I resist scoring wines for the first three years I wrote about them? How do you go from submitting an article to a local publication to publishing your first book? Why aren't press trips to wine regions all …

138: How to Get the Most from Your Wine Bar Visit with Tanisha Townsend

July 21st, 2021

36:26

What's it like to explore Paris by visiting different wine bars? How do you know which company to choose for guided tours? What do you need to know before buying wine from a wine list, whether you’re at a restaurant or …

137: Paris for Wine Lovers with Tanisha Townsend Part 1

July 14th, 2021

34:18

What's it like to uproot your life in North America and move to Paris? What’s the connection between forensic science and wine? What influence has …

136: Behind the Scenes of a Travel and Wine Writer's Life with Celine Bossart

July 7th, 2021

32:58

What would it be like to visit the most gorgeous wine regions around the world, and get paid to do it? How does the fast-paced schedule of a wine and …

135: Wines from Jon Bon Jovi, Jay-Z, Kendall Jenner with Celine Bossart

June 30th, 2021

32:34

Are you curious what it would be like to have lavish dinners and wine tastings with rockstars like Jon Bon Jovi and Fergie? How does music impact …

134: Online Courses, Canadian Wine & Weird Pairings with Susie Barrie

June 23rd, 2021

37:47

What’s my advice for those considering a wine career? How did my biggest career regret happen before I became a wine writer? How has my father’s …

133: Weird Wine & Food Pairings that Work with the Vine Guy

June 16th, 2021

30:25

Which weird food and wine pairings should you add to your must-try list? What makes wines from Oregon and California’s Sierra Foothills special? How …

132: Mature Champagne + Tasting with Robert Parker with Scott Greenberg

June 9th, 2021

34:36

What's it like tasting wines with the legendary wine critic Robert Parker? How does food take wine to the next level? What's it like to have dinner with celebrities of the wine world?

In this episode of the Unreserved …

131: Salt in Wine, Oyster Pairings + Real Talk with Your Sommelier

June 2nd, 2021

33:23

Is food and wine pairing the ultimate goal of every dining experience? Is it okay to tell sommeliers if you don’t like the wine they recommended? …

130: Restaurant Wine Lists Post-Pandemic with Vinepair's Zach Geballe Part 1

May 26th, 2021

35:41

What was it like being a sommelier at one of Seattle’s most prestigious restaurants as the pandemic started to unfold? How have restaurants and wine …

129: Champagne Widows + Are Expensive Wines Worth It?

May 19th, 2021

36:45

Are wines that cost hundreds of dollars per bottle ever worth the price? Does deepening your understanding of wine increase your enjoyment of …

128: All About Wine Stories with Ron Hunt Part 1

May 12th, 2021

43:12

What is it about wine that makes it part of many TV shows and movies? How does approaching wine through food make it so much more accessible? What adventures did I go on as a part of writing my books? Why are origin …

127: Wine Influencers + Drinking Too Much? Part 2 with Devin Parr

May 5th, 2021

41:00

What makes someone a wine influencer? Why is there so much uproar in the wine industry about celebrity wines and influencers? How did heavy drinking become such an entrenched part of the wine industry? Do you sometimes …

126: Cameron Diaz's Clean Wine + Wellness & Wine with Devin Parr Part 1

April 28th, 2021

34:34

How did Cameron Diaz’s new clean wine brand cause an uproar in the wine world? Where does wine fit into the wellness world? Which low alcohol and …

125: Inflated Wine Scores, Inside Tasting Tips with Paul K - Part 2

April 21st, 2021

37:44

Have wine scores gotten out of control, with higher numbers across the board? Are we oversimplifying wine when we talk and write about it? Is it …

124: Wine Clubs, Wine Finds & Tasting Tips with Paul K - Part 1

April 14th, 2021

43:40

Which wine regions, grapes and styles are under-valued and worth trying? Should you be skeptical about celebrity-endorsed wines? How do you choose a …

123: Wine, Politics and Diplomatic Entertaining with Washington Post Publisher, Fred Ryan - Part 2

April 7th, 2021

40:35

Only one president made his own wine and it wasn’t Thomas Jefferson. So who was it? How did Jackie Kennedy Onassis’ love of France shape White House menus? Which famous California winemaker attended a White House …

122: Wine, the White House & Presidential Pours with Washington Post Publisher, Fred Ryan Part 1

March 31st, 2021

37:01

Are you curious about how wine has played an essential role in politics? How did a bottle with Thomas Jefferson's initials become the center of a …

121: Online Wine Classes Bring the Future Forward with VinePair's Zach Geballe

March 24th, 2021

29:07

Where do the worlds of wine and high tech collide? Why has the wine industry been so slow to embrace digital offerings? Should you join an online …

120: Best Ways to Learn About Wine? Vanessa Conlin MW & Amanda McCrossin Part 2

March 17th, 2021

35:30

Are trends like orange wine and natural wine here to stay? What are the benefits of joining a wine club? How do you get out of a wine rut? Have consumer wine choices changed during the pandemic?

In this episode of the …

119: Which Hot New Wine Regions & Styles Should You Try? Amanda McCrossin & Vanessa Conlin MW Part 1

March 10th, 2021

35:41

Have you ever dreamed of ditching your day job and starting a career in wine? What do wine and music have in common? What's it like to share a bottle of wine with the famous wine critic Robert Parker?

In this episode of …

118: Dream Wine Careers with Susie Barrie & Peter Richards Part 2

March 3rd, 2021

38:45

Why are podcasts one of the best ways to learn about wine? How do English sparkling wines compare to Champagne, and should you seek them out? Why is …

117: Having a Wine Blast with Susie Barrie & Peter Richards

February 24th, 2021

49:25

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a career in wine, whether as a TV or radio personality, writer, author, podcaster, event …

116: Open That Bottle Night with Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher

February 17th, 2021

59:33

Do you have a bottle of wine that you’ve been holding onto for a special occasion? Are you curious about how much an old bottle you’ve been keeping …

115: Inside Bordeaux's Secret Underground with Jane Anson

February 10th, 2021

1:10:07

Are you curious about Bordeaux wine? Would you love to learn about its secret underground history? What about the overlooked wines and vintages that …

114: Rising Alcohol in Wine: Too Hot to Handle?

February 3rd, 2021

41:30

Want to seduce someone this Valentine’s Day? Forget the lingerie, lipstick and silk-tie handcuffs—just ensure that the object of your desire drinks a little wine. Over a few glasses of wine, love is blind, or at least …

113: Tasting and Pairing Grüner Veltliner with Austrian Winemaker Rudi Rabl

January 27th, 2021

27:37

Why do sommeliers love Grüner Veltliner? How does this zesty white wine from Austria compare to Gewürztraminer and Riesling? Does it age well? What are the best food pairings?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk …

112: New Zealand Wine's Sacred Soils with Left Field's Richard Painter

January 20th, 2021

39:06

How does the unique geography and climate of Hawke's Bay and Gimlet Gravels in New Zealand create wines unlike any others? How does New Zealand Syrah differ from those from other regions? Why do many winemakers seem to …

111: Ontario Icewine: How to Drink It, Pair It and Love It with Karen King

January 13th, 2021

35:39

How is Icewine different from other sweet wines? How does that change the way you drink it and pair with food? Which pairings work beyond dessert? How can you make delicious Icewine Slushies and pair them with chili …

110: Drunken Adjectives: A Fuzzy Vine-acular

January 6th, 2021

18:49

Are there really that many different descriptors for inebriation? What's the origin of drunken euphemisms like "three sheets to the wind"? Why does …

109: How to Pair Wine and Chocolate with Chocolate Sommelier Roxanne Browning

December 30th, 2020

38:26

Where can you find the best chocolate? What's the difference between candy and real chocolate? How can you pair wine and chocolate? What does Fair …

108: Holiday Movie Wines + Cool Chardonnay with Brian Schmidt

December 23rd, 2020

33:52

What exactly is a cool climate Chardonnay? Which dishes are delicious with this style of Chardonnay? What's the most important element for you to …

107: Wine Tasting and Pairing Tips from Master Sommelier Bruce Wallner

December 16th, 2020

33:11

Is being a sommelier as glamourous as it seems? Why is it sometimes difficult to differentiate between certain New and Old World wines? How does …

106: Pairing California Wine and Gourmet Burgers with Winemaker Joel Gott

December 9th, 2020

41:46

How do you pair wine with burgers? What is it about California that gives us such a wide variety of wine? How is the Napa Valley food scene? What restaurant industry lessons help Joel make better wine?

In this episode …

105: Wine and Cheese Pairings to Celebrate the Holidays with Janet Fletcher

December 2nd, 2020

48:43

Should you try a cheese-only cheese course? Why are cheese and bread not necessarily great matches for cheese? Which underappreciated wine and cheese …

104: Zinfandel Crusader Joel Peterson, Ravenswood Founding Winemaker

November 25th, 2020

52:53

Do you know the rich and royal history behind Zinfandel? How does the air in a vineyard affect the flavours you taste in its wine? Why did Zinfandel …

103: The Connected Table with Melanie Young and David Ransom

November 18th, 2020

32:59

How did my first sip of "fancy wine" jump-start my thirst for wine knowledge and experiences? Why is this a perfect time for you to take an online wine course? Why is it hard to pair certain vegetables, like asparagus, …

102: Nova Scotia's Secret Star Wine Power with Benjamin Bridge's Jean Benoit Deslauriers

November 11th, 2020

51:25

Where can you find one of the Canadian wine industry's best-kept secrets? How does the dynamic Bay of Fundy impact the flavours you taste in wines from the Gaspereau Valley? Which Benjamin Bridge wine will you find on …

101: Niagara-on-the-Lake Wineries Adapt to Covid with Andrea Kaiser

November 4th, 2020

42:06

What's it like harvesting grapes in sub-zero temperatures? Is there really any difference between a vineyard on one side of the road and a vineyard on the other? Is this a good time for you to visit a winery? What's …

100: Moms Sipping Sangria and Talking Wine with Sheila Walsh and Anita MacArthur

October 28th, 2020

41:29

What’s the quickest way to chill a bottle of wine? How can the lemon and butter test help you pair wine with food? Which wines should you use for …

99: Family-Run Wineries v Corporate-Owned? Henry of Pelham's Daniel Speck

October 21st, 2020

43:17

What was it like being part of the budding Niagara wine scene? Why are wineries so well-suited to be family-owned? How does the terroir of the Niagara bench influence what you taste in Henry of Pelham wines? Why is …

98: The Shape of Wine Taste with Australia's Wakefield Wines

October 14th, 2020

1:06:54

How can you visualize the taste of wine in a chart? How would those charts be different for Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling and Shiraz? What …

97: Taco Bell's New Jalapeño Noir Wine: Should You Try It?

October 7th, 2020

32:04

Taco Bell just launched its first wine called Jalapeño Noir, a Pinot Noir, get it? Is the wine any good? Should you try it? Does it pair well with …

96: Which Wine Pairs Best with Blue Cheese? Janice Beaton Makes the Match

September 30th, 2020

33:36

Why are wine and cheese your best bets when entertaining? If you're not a fan of blue cheese, where do you start to acquire a taste for it? How is …

95: Which Cheeses Go Well With Wine? Janice Beaton Shares Pairings

September 23rd, 2020

31:13

Why does cheese, like wine, spark obsession? Why do certain wines and cheeses have a similar flavour profile? What makes Canadian cheeses unique? Do different types of cows' milk produce different flavours in cheese? …

94: Wine and Principled Persuasion with Dragon’s Den Arlene Dickinson

September 16th, 2020

31:53

What would it look like for you to pitch a winery on Dragon's Den versus The Big Decision? What are the creative similarities between writing a book …

93: Master of Wine vs Master Sommelier? Jane Masters Reveals the Difference

September 9th, 2020

31:26
What's the difference between a Master of Wine (MW) and a Master Sommelier (MS)? How can you take advantage of your surroundings to become a better wine taster? Is there a benefit to focusing on tasting notes instead …

92: Pairing Wine and Cheese Pairings Like a Pro with Laura Werlin

September 2nd, 2020

43:00

What should you consider when pairing wine and cheese? Why is sparkling wine the perfect pairing for many cheeses? Are there red-flag flavours that …

91: The Wine Bible's Karen MacNeil on Women and Wine

August 26th, 2020

49:23

How did The Wine Bible get its name? How was it unlike any wine book of its time? What was it like as a young woman trying to break into the male-dominated New York wine scene in the 1970s? Why are there significantly …

90: How to Break Wine & Food Pairing Rules? with Chris Scott

August 19th, 2020

22:26

Why should you pair wine to the diner, not the dinner? Do you always have to follow the "rules" when pairing food and wine? Which fun food and wine …

89: Why Should You Take Online Wine & Food Classes? with Chris Scott

August 12th, 2020

24:20

Can being a supertaster affect your preferences in alcoholic beverages? Why don't you find a lot of wineries in Ottawa? How do online classes give …

88: How Does a Wine's Name Affect How Much You'll Pay for it? with Dr. Antonia Mantonakis

August 5th, 2020

24:34

How does the ease with which you can pronounce a winery name affect your perception of both the wine and its price? Are wine experts or novices more likely to assign a higher value to wines with complicated names? How …

87: Pairing Wine with Sharks, Dragons and Kevin O'Leary

July 29th, 2020

31:35

What should you consider when buying wine as an investment? What's the cold, hard truth about the Canadian wine industry? What makes for a successful …

86: How We Buy Wine Based on Secret Retail Triggers with Dr. Tim Dodd

July 22nd, 2020

35:02

What would surprise us about the way we buy wine? What techniques do wine retailers use to trigger impulse buys in the store? What are the biggest …

85: How Did the Mega-Hit Movie Sideways Change Pinot Noir (and Merlot)?

July 15th, 2020

42:55

How did the novel and movie Sideways change the wine market in North America? In the book, the character Miles is portrayed as a wine snob, but what really defines a wine snob? What do you need to know if you want to …

84: Are Celebrity Athlete Wines Great or Gimmicks? With Dr. Antonia Mantonakis

July 8th, 2020

29:44

Are wines named after a sports celebrity any good or is this just a marketing gimmick? Are more gentle sports like golf better suited to marketing a …

83: What's Trending in the Wine World with Darren Oleksyn

July 1st, 2020

38:37

What are the hottest wine trends right now? What's the difference between natural wine and orange wine? Are new drinks like blue wine and Pinot …

82: Bordeaux and China: Wine Culture Clash or Perfect Pairing? Suzanne Mustacich Reveals Surprising Insights

June 24th, 2020

39:21

Why is Bordeaux considered the ultimate luxury brand in the world of wine? Why did the Chinese market suddenly start buying Bordeaux wines in the …

81: Tasting Wine Like a Detective with Ontario's Best Sommelier Emily Pearce-Bibona

June 17th, 2020

41:50

What does it take to win Ontario’s Best Sommelier competition? What’s it like performing in front of a set of very stern-eyed wine judges and a live audience? What is the smartest question you can ask your sommelier in …

80: What's the Rosé Lifestyle? Wine Writer Jill Barth on Why You'd Enjoy It

June 10th, 2020

41:29

How did Provence become known as the heartland of Rosé? What does it mean to be part of the Rosé lifestyle? Why should you take a trip to the …

79: Why Sommeliers Love Austrian Gruner Veltliner with Heidi Fisher Pfaffl

June 3rd, 2020

41:06

Would you like to learn more about Austrian wines, especially its iconic grape, Gruner Veltliner? Do you know why this wine is one of the most …

78: Why are Nova Scotia's Tidal Bay and L'Acadie Blanc Signature Wines?

May 27th, 2020

41:59

What do you need to know about Nova Scotia’s signature grape, L'Acadie blanc? What is Tidal Bay and why is it Canada's first stylistic appellation? Why is one Nova Scotia winery burying barrels of wine underground? …

77: The Use (and Abuse) of Wine Scores with Vino Mike and Pete on That Wine Pod

May 20th, 2020

40:58

How does the 100 point scale make wine scores easier for you to interpret? How can you drink better wines by finding a wine critic whose style you like? How does grade inflation affect you as a wine lover? Why is taking …

76: Wine Girl Reveals the Wine World's Dark Side and Hope for the Future with Sommelier Victoria James

May 13th, 2020

47:33

What’s it like serving wine to celebrities like Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, Beyonce and Miley Cyrus? How is being a sommelier different when you work at a …

75: Niagara Vine Laureate Klaus Reif: Ontario Wine's Future

May 6th, 2020

41:51

What profound impact does buying your local wine have on your economy? Why will supporting the "Free My Grapes" campaign improve your choice and access to wine? How have Ontario wines changed since the 80s? What are the …

74: Dr. Laura Catena on Malbec, Wine's Health Benefits and Winemaking in Argentina

April 29th, 2020

46:14

Have you tasted an Argentine Malbec? Which foods pair best with Malbec? Why is Malbec more like Pinot Noir than Cabernet? What are the health benefits of wine?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we're …

73: Women v Men Wine Tasting and Texture with Dr. Gary Pickering

April 22nd, 2020

39:09

What makes you a supertaster? Does supertaster status play a role outside of wine tasting? How does age affect our senses of smell and taste? Why is …

72: Orange Wines are Trending with Winemaker Ann Sperling

April 15th, 2020

42:50

What is orange wine? How does fermenting with the stems and leave give you a more complex flavour profile? Can you find orange wine on restaurant …

71: British Columbia’s Best Wineries with Wine Writer John Schreiner

April 8th, 2020

41:23

What defines an icon wine? What are the hottest trends in BC wines right now? Which British Columbia wines are worth adding to your cellar? What will …

70: Frog’s Leap Winemaker John Williams Shares Witty & Wise Stories

April 1st, 2020

50:47

Do all wines taste better with time? What similarities are there between winemaking and cheese-making? Why is Zinfandel your perfect summer drink? How does dry farming impact the flavour of wine?

In this episode of the …

69: How Has Quarantine Impacted Wineries and Wine Lovers?

March 25th, 2020

30:51

Should you hold firm to plans for travelling to wine regions in the near future? How are winery visits being impacted by quarantine restrictions? Can …

68: Pairing Spicy Dishes & Wines with Vikram Vij and Sean Nelson

March 18th, 2020

52:16

How sparkling wine spice up your menu? What complementary taste rule can you use to pair your food with wine? Which wines should you never pair with …

67: Become a Better Wine Taster with Master Sommelier Elyse Lambert

March 11th, 2020

40:24

What's the one thing you can do when visiting wine regions to make it your best trip ever? How can yoga help you become a better wine taster? How do …

66: Angelina Jolie Wines with Winemaking Consultant Clark Smith

March 4th, 2020

42:14

Why would you want to challenge a young wine with oxygen? Why don’t you hear many technical conversations around wine? How can movie genres help you …

65: Wine Industry Faces Digital Darwinism with Paul Mabray

February 26th, 2020

47:44

How is the wine industry embracing the digital world? What role do influencers play in wine marketing? What can you do to increase engagement and …

64: Money, Taste and Wine with Mike Veseth, the Wine Economist

February 19th, 2020

37:32

Does price affect your perception of a wine's quality? What would it be like to travel around the world in pursuit of eighty wines? Why does the wide …

63: Aphrodisiac Wine Pairings for Valentine's Day

February 12th, 2020

26:37

Do you need to follow a food and wine pairing rulebook? What wine-worthy aphrodisiacs should you add to your menu this Valentine's Day? Does the …

62: Pairing Wine and Cannabis with the Herb Sommelier Jamie Evans

February 5th, 2020

33:44

What does a wine enthusiast have in common with a cannabis user? How can you pair wine with cannabis? What do you need to know about terpenes and wine pairing? How do infused beverages bring together the cannabis and …

61: Single Vineyards versus Blends, Drops of God Manga Wine, Wine Scores

January 29th, 2020

21:16

How does blending grapes impact the flavour profile of wine? What can blends give you that a single varietal can’t? What can you learn about wine …

60: Mark Oldman: The Wine World’s Greatest Showman

January 22nd, 2020

1:06:19

What insider tip can you use the next time you’re faced with a restaurant wine list? What do billionaires look for in wines for daily drinking? Why …

59: Bargain Wines, Pairing Wine and Artichokes, Wine Region Vacations with the Restaurant Guys Mark Pascal and Francis Schott

January 15th, 2020

52:02

What makes a bargain wine? How can you prepare artichokes to be more wine-friendly? Should you plan a trip to Canada's wine regions?

In today’s …

58: Getting Graphic with Wine and Madeline Puckette of Wine Folly

January 8th, 2020

45:33

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Madeline Puckette, the content director and co-founder of Wine Folly whose …

57: BYOB Wines to Restaurants

January 1st, 2020

27:42

What does BYOB, Bring Your Own Bottle, to a restaurant mean? What special laws and etiquette do you need to know about it? Which provinces and states allow it? How does BYOB benefit you as a wine lover, aside from …

56: Champagne Special with the Restaurant Guys Mark Pascal and Francis Schott

December 25th, 2019

51:07

In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Mark Pascal and Francis Schott, on their excellent radio show The Restaurant Guys. They’ve been in the fine dining and wine retail business for more than 25 years, and co-own Stage …

55: Pairing Gift Wines with Personalities

December 18th, 2019

14:30

Why does wine make such an ideal holiday gift? Which wines are the best to give, especially when you don’t know the personal taste of the …

54: What's Minerality in Wine? Plus California Wildfires

December 11th, 2019

33:03

What it minerality mean when it comes to wine? Is it a taste? A feeling? Or some bogus concept meant to keep wine mysterious? What’s the latest with the devastating wildfires in Sonoma wine country? Why are winemakers …

53: Festive Wines with the Globe & Mail's Christine Sismondo

December 4th, 2019

39:13

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Christine Sismondo, writer, teacher and barfly who, when not teaching literature at York University, is tracking down the city’s best drinks and …

52: Visiting Burgundy and Tasting Barolo with Matt Cauz

November 27th, 2019

45:50

On today’s episode, I’m chatting with Matt Cauz, on his excellent podcast called Matt Talks Wine and Stuff with Interesting People. Matt interviews sommeliers, winemakers and wine writers so this is a bit of a …

51: Wine for Normal People with Elizabeth Schneider

November 20th, 2019

43:31

I’m chatting with Elizabeth Schneider, who has just published her first book called Wine for Normal People. Elizabeth also hosts one of the popular …

50: Pairing Chocolate & Wine, Harvest 2019 Update

November 13th, 2019

33:50

How do you pair wine and chocolate? Do the wines change with different types of chocolate, say milk chocolate versus dark chocolate? How is the 2019 …

49: Flying with Flavour: Travel and Wine Stories with Stephanie Piché

November 6th, 2019

49:20

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Stephanie Piché, a chef who in her never-ending quest for new flavours and experiences, has travelled the world to over 30 countries to gather …

48: A Full-Bodied Framework to Taste, Pair & Buy Wine Like a Pro

October 30th, 2019

16:43

Would you like to know how to taste, pair and buy wine like a pro? Would you like to walk into a liquor store and know exactly which new wine you …

47: Behind the Scenes: A Wine Writer's Life

October 23rd, 2019

22:25

When I attend a social event that’s outside the wine industry and I’m asked about my job, I often joke that I drink for a living. After I clarify that I write about wine, I usually get questions about what exactly that …

46: Texas Wines and Wine Writing Ethics

October 16th, 2019

40:36

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Gus Clemens, who went to business college when he was just 12 years old to …

45: Thanksgiving Wines, Mouse Wine Defect, Trends to Ignore

October 9th, 2019

27:20

For those of us in Canada, Thanksgiving is this weekend. In my opinion, there is no other holiday that celebrates the gift of wine like Thanksgiving. …

44: Pairing Spicy Food & Wine, Gen X versus Millennial Drinkers

October 2nd, 2019

23:16

Do you have trouble pairing wine with spicy dishes? What flavours can survive a spicy pairing? How do you pair wine and dishes with a lot of heat like Tex-Mex or vindaloo chicken? Why are Gen Xers so different as wine …

43: Wine Gossip and Stories with Friends of the Vine and Ian Osborn

September 25th, 2019

42:04

On today’s episode, I’m chatting with Ian Osborn, on his excellent podcast called Friends of the Vine. This is a bit of a turnaround from my usual format because Ian is interviewing me.  I highly recommend that you …

42: Pairing Veggies & Wine, Chilling Wine Quickly, Resveratrol & Depression

September 18th, 2019

22:35

What makes veggies so hard to pair with wine? Are some types of wine better suited to veggie-pairings? How do you pair wine and veggies, especially the wine stalkers - asparagus and artichoke? How can you chill …

41: Travel the Wine World with Kevin Brauch

September 11th, 2019

49:51

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Kevin Brauch, a Gemini Award Winner, TV producer and host of hit series The Thirsty Traveler, Iron Chef America, SuperStar Chef Challenge, FOOD …

40: Pairing Tomatoes & Wine, Heatwave Impact, Gary Vaynerchuk's New Wine Club

September 4th, 2019

30:10

What's the best way to pair wine with tomatoes and tomato dishes? Will the current heatwave impact wine and the greater wine economy? How is Gary Vaynerchuk disrupting the way we buy wine? What effect does being in a …

39: Do Wine Scores Matter? Bloomberg Columnist Elin McCoy on Robert Parker

August 28th, 2019

48:14

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with author Elin McCoy, who is the wine columnist for both Bloomberg News and …

38: Getting Hammered: Wine Auction Guide to Survival

August 21st, 2019

17:03

Did you know that wine auctions are on the rise, both as fundraisers and as commercial ways to buy and sell your cellar stash?

On this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with you about why …

37: From Champagne to Napa Valley: Wine Stories with Tilar Mazzeo

August 14th, 2019

42:36

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Tilar Mazzeo, author and proprietor and winemaker at Parsell Vineyard. Her …

36: Airline Wine: Flights of Wine You Can Drink Without Reservations

August 7th, 2019

16:01

If you want great wine these days you don’t have to fly thousands of miles to get it, you can sip it en route. But getting wine to taste delicious at 30,000 feet isn’t easy.

If you’re flying somewhere anytime soon, …

35: Smart Tests for Wine Acidity, Tannin & Balance with Sommelier Chris Scott

July 31st, 2019

41:45

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Chris Scott, a U.K.-based sommelier who published the world’s first-ever wine podcast, the UK Wine Show. Chris and his wife, Jane also founded …

34: Seafood Pairings, Flying Corks, Sober Curious

July 24th, 2019

27:42

This past Friday, in a scene not unfamiliar to Champagne lovers everywhere, one Wimbledon spectator lost control of his cork, which then made it's …

33: The Smart Woman Behind the Wine for Dummies Books: Mary Ewing-Mulligan MW

July 17th, 2019

41:17

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Mary Ewing-Mulligan, president of the International Wine Center and the …

32: Orange Wines, Pairings for Meatless Burgers

July 10th, 2019

20:59

Is orange the new white? Which wines pair best with meatless burgers? How do you keep your wines cool in the summer heat? I'd love for you to share …

31: Pairing Wine & Charcuterie with Jennifer McLagan

July 3rd, 2019

35:24

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Jennifer McLagan, an author and expert in charcuterie. Sometimes, I think we’ve become so paranoid about fat in our diets that we forget that not …

30: Canada Day Wines

June 26th, 2019

18:46

In honour of Canada Day on July 1st, we're doing a deep dive into Canadian wine, including some colourful history and surprising facts that you can …

29: Wine Scandals, Fakes and Forgery with Maureen Downey

June 19th, 2019

38:49

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Maureen Downey, a.k.a. the Wine Detective, about wine forgeries, fakes and scandals. You’ll learn tips on how to spot a fake wine based on the …

28: Father's Day Wines

June 12th, 2019

14:16

This Sunday is Father’s Day, so I’m going to get downright practical on this episode with some terrific gift wines suggestions that you can buy dear …

27: Gripping Wine Stories with San Francisco Chronicle Wine Columnist Esther Mobley

June 5th, 2019

47:32

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Esther Mobley, on the gripping stories that catapulted her to become the …

26: Wine & War: The Vinous Insurrection

May 29th, 2019

14:55

Welcome back for Part Two of an audio essay to celebrate National Wine Day, this past Saturday, May 25.

Most of what I’m going to share with you today is based on a magazine piece about wine and civility that I wrote …

25: Pairing Wine and Yoga to Unwined with Morgan Perry

May 22nd, 2019

27:24

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Morgan Perry who pairs wine and yoga in her Vino Vinyasa classes. More than …

24: National Wine Day Prompts These Thoughts

May 15th, 2019

15:23

May 25 is National Wine Day and in honour of that, I think it’s worth exploring how wine, as a beverage, has influenced our culture. Wine has been an …

23: Randall Grahm: A Californian Blend of Wine, Wit and Wisdom

May 8th, 2019

45:11

In today’s episode, we’re chatting with the rockstar Californian winemaker Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon winery who blends wit and wisdom unlike any other person in the wine world. He’s brilliant both in his insights and …

22: Behind-the-Scenes Peek at Writing Red, White and Drunk All Over

May 1st, 2019

28:57

What role have books played in my exploration of wine regions around the world? What's it like tasting ultra high-end wine? How is wine portrayed in …

21: Is Wine the Source of Civilization? John Mahoney Thinks So and Here's Why

April 24th, 2019

41:56

In today’s episode, we’re chatting with the author John Mahoney who has written several books on wine, but we’ll be focusing on his latest: Is Wine the Source of Civilization?

Spoiler alert, the answer is yes. But the …

20: Why You Need to Know Malbec Truly, Madly, Deeply

April 17th, 2019

14:16

Have you tried Malbec? Did you like it? Which ones are your favourites? From Argentina to France, Malbecs are not all created equal. For me, it was an Argentine Malbec that first piqued my curiosity, leading me to start …

19: How to Become the World’s Best Sommelier with Arvid Rosengren

April 10th, 2019

44:18

Arvid Rosengren is one of the most merited sommeliers in the world, holding a range of competition wins and titles, the crowning achievement being …

18: Wine and Keto, Paleo, Gluten-Free, Atkins, South Beach and Other Diets (Does Wine Make You Fat?)

April 3rd, 2019

20:10

Does wine make you fat? Can you drink wine while you’re on a diet? What about diets like paleo, keto, South Beach, Atkins and gluten-free? In recent years some winemakers have started producing or re-labelling low-carb …

17: Organic and Biodynamic Wine with Thomas Bachelder

March 27th, 2019

1:03:54

Thomas Bachelder is a Canadian winemaking superstar on a mission when it comes to cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. After studying in France …

16: Are Organic Wines Better for You?

March 20th, 2019

17:30

What exactly is organic wine? Is it better for you? In recent years, organic wine has moved from the realms of health nuts and hippies to the mainstream, where it now represents one of the fastest-growing categories in …

15: What to Ask the Sommelier with Lesley Brown, Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers

March 13th, 2019

33:37

Lesley Brown has been a part of the Canadian Wine Industry for the past 17 years and works with several high profile wine agencies. She holds an …

14: Bottle of the Sexes: Women v Men on Wine

March 6th, 2019

13:12

Are men from Bordeaux and women from Burgundy? In my 20 years of studying and writing about wine, I’ve encountered a lot of differences in how men and women approach the subject. There are also several studies that show …

13: Blending Humour and Wine in South Africa with Charles Back, Fairview Wine

February 27th, 2019

45:48

Charles Louis Back is the third generation owner of South African wine and cheese producer Fairview, in Paarl in the Western Cape Province. Charles …

12: Wine Scores: Misleading or Helpful to Consumers?

February 20th, 2019

16:49

It’s unbelievable to consider that there’s a huge industry of specialists dedicating their lives to wine in the form of writers, sommeliers and critics. Why has wine inspired us in a way no other food or drink does?

In …

11: The World's Best Wines with Forbes Columnist Katie Kelly Bell

February 13th, 2019

37:48

Katie Kelly Bell has been writing about food, wine and travel for over a dozen years, with her writing appearing in publications such as Forbes, USA Today, Modern Luxury, Decanter and Southern Living. Her experiences …

10: Wines for Seduction: A Vine Romance for Valentine's Day

February 6th, 2019

14:51

Do you want to seduce someone this Valentine’s Day? Forget the lingerie, lipstick and silk-tie handcuffs - just share a glass or two of wine with your amour.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, I’m going to share with you …

9: Are Vegan & Vegetarian Wines Better for You? Ezra Cipes, Summerhill Winery, BC, Has Answers

January 30th, 2019

42:14

Ezra Cipes is proud to carry on the family legacy at Summerhill Pyramid Winery. Since the Cipes family moved from New York to Summerhill Vineyard in …

8: Scandalous Wine Women on TV

January 23rd, 2019

18:19

I have to confess: I am obsessed with Alicia Florrick, the successful attorney on The Good Wife, and Olivia Pope, the high-powered Washington D.C. …

7: Wine Confidential: An Insider Look at the Wine World with Bianca Bosker

January 16th, 2019

39:42

Bianca Bosker is an award-winning journalist and the author of the New York Times Best Seller, Cork Dork: A Wine-Fueled Adventure Among the Obsessive Sommeliers, Big Bottle Hunters, and Rogue Scientists Who Taught Me to …

6: Secret Book Club Reading of Red, White and Drunk All Over

January 9th, 2019

31:19

Are you curious about what’s behind the covers of my book, Red, White and Drunk All Over: A Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass Audio Edition (which you'll hear me refer to as "RWD")? In this episode, I’m inviting …

5: Wine & Health: Benefits, Risks and Surprises with Dr. Edward Miller

January 2nd, 2019

37:40

Dr. Edward Miller is a board-certified physician, author, & researcher and he has been passionate about wine since taking a wine appreciation …

4: Sneak Peak Behind-the-Scenes: Publishing a Wine Audiobook

December 26th, 2018

14:26

Have you ever wondered how an audiobook gets made and then sold via Apple Books, Amazon and Audible around the world?  In this episode, I’m sharing …

3: Why Do You Like the Wines You Do with Marnie Old and Jean-Charles Boisset

December 19th, 2018

54:02

Sommelier and author Marnie Old and winemaker Jean-Charles Boisset of Domaine de la Vougeraie, have co-authored a book, Passion For Wine: The French …

2: Wine Confession: Loving the Buzz of Alcohol

December 12th, 2018

12:48

As I mentioned in the introductory episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, every other episode I’ll be doing a solo episode where I offer up …

1: Wine Forgery and True Wine Crime with Pete Hellman

December 12th, 2018

33:50

Peter Hellman is a New York-based wine journalist and best-selling author. His writing has appeared in Wine Spectator, The Wall Street Journal, New York Post, New York Times, New York Sun and his bestselling books …

Introducing the Unreserved Wine Talk Podcast: Unfiltered Wine Conversations and Confessions

November 20th, 2018

9:01

Welcome to this special introduction to the Unreserved Wine Talk Podcast!

My name is Natalie MacLean and I’ve been writing about wine for twenty years. Growing up in a small Nova Scotia town, I used to think that wine …

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